The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has defended its decision to clear a controversial consignment of imported raw sugar, telling lawmakers that it relied on inspection reports from its contracted inspection firm in South Africa. According to KEBS, the imported raw sugar was intended strictly for industrial processing and was not approved for direct human consumption. The agency assured lawmakers that safeguards had been put in place to prevent the raw sugar from entering the retail market before processing. The MPs raised concerns that contamination or other changes could occur during transportation, making local testing necessary to verify the safety and quality of imported products. The committee said additional local testing would strengthen public confidence in Kenya’s quality assurance system and provide an extra layer of protection for consumers.